WAKE FOREST - Bessie Irene Hilkey Bender, formerly of Greensboro, died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Hope Lutheran Church.

Born in Auburn, Ind., she moved to Detroit, Mich., in her youth.

Surviving: children, Christian (Nancy Schatz)  Bender, Bonnie (Robert) Peerbolte, Cindy (Edward) Stoner; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Christian Bender; her sisters and brothers, Mabel, Ferman, Hilda, Dorothy and Eugene; and one grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hope Lutheran Church’s Prayer Garden, 3525 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, NC  27587.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest.

www.brightfunerals.com